Star Tribune beat writer Dan Wiederer wonders if the Vikings should draft Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon in April.

The Vikings have all but assured themselves a top-three pick in next year's NFL Draft. If the draft were today they would own the rights to the second overall selection. Picking second or third could put the Vikings in line to draft USC left tackle Matt Kalil or Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman wants his staff to consider three names for the third overall pick in next Thursday's NFL draft: USC tackle Matt Kalil, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

If they don't trade away their overall No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, the Vikings say one of three players will be selected in that spot: Matt Kalil, Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon. That got Vikings play-by-play man Paul Allen back to the microphone for these fantasy calls.

If the Vikings don't take a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft, they might use their second round selection on one. Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, LSU's Rueben Randle and Wisconsin's Nick Toon could be on the board.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said trade talks are starting to heat up as draft day approaches. He wouldn't name any teams, but speculation points to Tampa Bay possibly trade up from pick No. 5 to No. 3 and take running back Trent Richardson. If that's the case, the Vikings could still take Matt Kalil, Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon, and receive extra picks.